raft
B2Neutral to informal for the 'large quantity' sense; technical/outdoor for the floating structure.
Definition
Meaning
A flat floating structure, often made of logs, planks, or inflatable materials, used for transport on water.
A large collection or quantity of something; also, a verb meaning to travel or transport on a raft, or to make something into a raft.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The 'large quantity' sense is often used informally and can carry a slightly negative connotation (e.g., 'a raft of problems'). The primary sense is concrete and practical.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No major differences in core meaning. The verb 'to raft' (for recreational activity) is equally common. Spelling is identical.
Connotations
Slightly more likely to be used in the 'large quantity' sense in British financial/political journalism (e.g., 'a raft of new measures').
Frequency
Comparatively similar frequency. The recreational activity 'white-water rafting' is common in both.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[N] raft [of N][V] (across/down) on a raft[V] a raft (together)a raft [V]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A raft of something”
- “On the same raft (rare, implying shared fate)”
- “Raft over (to make do temporarily)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
'The company announced a raft of layoffs.' (Meaning a large number)
Academic
'The researcher faced a raft of contradictory data.'
Everyday
'We built a makeshift raft to cross the pond.'
Technical
'The emergency life raft is stowed in the portside container.'
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- We plan to raft down the Wye this summer.
- They rafted the timber across the lake.
American English
- Let's raft the Colorado River next weekend.
- They rafted the supplies over to the island.
adverb
British English
- N/A (Raft is not used as an adverb).
American English
- N/A (Raft is not used as an adverb).
adjective
British English
- N/A (Raft is not standardly used as an adjective).
American English
- N/A (Raft is not standardly used as an adjective).
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The children made a small raft from wood.
- The raft is on the water.
- They used an inflatable raft to go down the river.
- A raft of new students joined the class.
- The government proposed a whole raft of environmental reforms.
- We survived by clinging to the wreckage of the raft.
- The committee was overwhelmed by the sheer raft of evidence submitted.
- He deftly rafted the disparate ideas into a coherent proposal.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
RAFT = Really A Floating Thing. Imagine logs tied together with Rope And Floating Timber.
Conceptual Metaphor
A LARGE QUANTITY IS A RAFT (a bulky, unwieldy mass one must navigate).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid confusing with 'плот' (correct) and 'рафт' (a direct loan for the inflatable boat). The 'large quantity' sense does not translate directly to 'плот'.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'raft' for a small, rigid boat (e.g., 'rowing raft' is odd). Confusing 'raft' (structure) with 'rafter' (beam).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'raft' LEAST likely to be used?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, while simple rafts exist, the term also covers modern inflatable rafts used for white-water sports and as sophisticated life-saving equipment on ships.
Yes, though it often implies a burdensome quantity, it can be neutral (e.g., 'a raft of opportunities'), depending on context.
A raft typically has a flat structure without a hull, often simpler and floats on its buoyant materials. A boat has a shaped hull that displaces water.
It's less common than the noun. As a verb, it's mostly used in the context of the recreational activity ('go rafting') or the specific action of transporting/conveying via raft.